Chapter 18.1 (2/2)

Yan Shi Ning’s shaky hands picked up the light blue dress that shone like stars. She was overwhelmed by awe, she had never seen such a beautiful dress like it before.

‘This is the first dress from me,’ Pei Jin said. ‘In the future I’ll give you many dresses.’

Yan Shi Ning raised her head and looked at Pei Jin suspiciously.

‘Quickly go change,’ Pei Jin said. ‘You’re wearing this dress to tonight’s harvest festival banquet.’

Yan Shi Ning happily ran to the screen to change into the dress and warmth itched Pei Jin’s heart.

‘In the past didn’t I promise you one day I would give you the most beautiful dress in the world?’ Pei Jin asked.

The twelve-year-old Yan Shi Ning wasn’t the same as the six-year-old Yan Shi Ning who only knew how to eat, play and sleep. The twelve-year-old Yan Shi Ning slowly pass by the dressmaker’s shop in Xuan Qing and admired the beautiful dress fabrics. But her mother never accepted her father’s silver taels so all her dresses could only be ordinary.

At that time Pei Jin was only given a small monthly allowance from the palace, but it was used to build good connections. He didn’t have enough money to buy Yan Shi Ning beautiful dresses and he could only promise her, ‘one day I’ll give you the most beautiful dress in the world.’

Of course Yan Shi Ning would deny she loved beautiful dresses, ‘who would want a beautiful dress?’

Yan Shi Ning couldn’t believe she finally wore a heavenly dress. She turned around and saw Pei Jin behind her.

‘Big brother, why are you standing here?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘You don’t need to be shy,’ Pei Jin said. ‘I’ve seen and touched it before.’

Goose bumps surfaced on Yan Shi Ning’s whole body. ‘Big brother, did you ask a dressmaker to make this dress for me?’

Pei Jin nodded his head.

‘Big brother, then how did you know my body measurements?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin waved his hands. ‘I told you I’ve seen and touched it. Why wouldn’t I know your body measurements?’

‘Go to your grave!’ Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin laughed shamelessly. Of course he would know Yan Shi Ning’s body measurements after measuring one of her dresses.

Yan Shi Ning calmed her temper, stepped in front of the screen and sat next to Pei Jin.

‘Big brother, why did you give me a dress?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘I was scared you would throw away all your ugly dresses,’ Pei Jin said.

‘Big brother, you’re too generous,’ Yan Shi Ning mocked.

‘Of course, your husband is always generous,’ Pei Jin said.

‘But… this dress must be expensive,’ Yan Shi Ning said.

Yan Shi Ning knew Lady Su’s dresses were the most expensive dresses in the imperial city. At the banquet in the palace more than a month ago, Yan Shi Ting wore a dress made by Lady Su and it was almost expensive as half of the prime minister’s yearly allowance. She only needed to glance at the dress she wore to know that it was more expensive than the dress Yan Shi Ting wore that day.

‘Wife, are you sad for your husband’s lost silver taels?’ Pei Jin asked. ‘You don’t need to be sad. As long as you’re happy, your husband is willing to lose all his property.’

Yan Shi Ning suspected Pei Jin was secretly rich. She shook her head. What property? Pei Jin had little property to lose.

***

End of Chapter Eighteen (Part 1)